Prince George will be next in line to the throne when his father Prince William becomes King, and already discussions have begun about his future as a monarch – including what school he will go to
Prince William and Princess Kate(Image: WPA Pool, Getty Images)
Young royal Prince George, who is just 12-years-old, is already under scrutiny regarding his future as a monarch. Upon the eventual passing of his grandfather, King Charles, George will become the next in line to the throne after his father, Prince William.
This transition will inevitably bring about an intense examination of what type of monarch George might be when his father dies. Therefore, his actions during his youth are pivotal, as they will mould the individual he will grow into.
A significant aspect of this is his schooling, with rumours suggesting that he’s set for Eton College, where the annual tuition fees hover around £63,000. Despite Eton’s prestige, it has been reported by the Mail on Sunday that William and Princess Kate Middleton have been “plagued by indecision” over whether to send their eldest son there.
Even though William himself was schooled at Eton, it has been reported that Kate has been exploring other schools, two of which are located in North London. However, it appears that George has already been assigned a house by Eton in anticipation of his potential enrolment.
The hesitation over Eton reportedly stems from concerns about its management, with leadership transitioning from Simon Henderson, who was absent from the role between August and January. The reason behind Mr Henderson’s absence remains unclear, but it has been suggested that uncertainty over Eton’s leadership may have prompted William and Kate to consider alternative schools.
Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Princess Kate
A source revealed to the publication: “Eton has been going through much transition lately so that’s perhaps why it wasn’t an easy decision. There has been a lot going on that isn’t public knowledge but which Catherine would, of course, have been informed of.”
Nevertheless, one Royal commentator has indicated that George might still steer clear of Eton, and could instead pursue his next academic chapter at Marlborough College, where his mother received her education.
Penning his thoughts in The i, Royal expert Richard Palmer noted: “George’s fate is almost certainly already decided, but Kensington Palace shows no sign of wanting to make an announcement about it imminently. Some parents who know the Waleses are adamant that George is going to Eton.
“But others who move in royal circles are equally convinced he is headed for £59,143-a-year Marlborough College, his mother’s former school and a possible destination for his sister Charlotte.”
Whilst attention has centred on George’s educational future, there has also been debate about how he might cope as he begins to grasp the enormous burden that could lie ahead of him.
Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Princess Kate
Speaking to the Express, Royal author Duncan Larcombe described this year as “poignant” for George, both academically and socially.
He added: “12-years-old is a bit of a crossroads for a lot of kids when they’re growing up. One more year and he’ll be a teenager, and he’ll be off to a different school away from his brother and sister.
“I think 12 is quite a poignant birthday 12. Kids do suddenly age quite quickly after 12 – they become little people rather than being a little child.
“The decision about where he will go and study next has undoubtedly already been made, and I’m sure that George was very influential in it. Nevertheless, it’s a big change hovering on his horizon, and it’s bound to be quite unsettling.”
The Mail on Sunday approached both Kensington Palace and Eton College for comment, but both organisations reportedly refused to respond regarding the matter.